This is the fifth in a daily series of in-depth evaluations on the top 40 prospects leading up the April 26-28 NFL Draft. Today: Dontari Poe, defensive tackle, Memphis.

Strengths: Poe is an exceptional overall athlete. For a man of his size, 6-4, 346 pounds) he moves like an agile 290-pound defensive tackle. Example: He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.98 seconds.

Poe can be an excellent run defender when he maintains good pad level, uses his hands well and competes hard after making contact with a run blocker. Initial quickness and burst from his stance enables Poe to shoot gaps and get backfield penetration when he uses good technique. When he is focused and competing hard, he is a disruptive inside force.

With his outstanding range in his pursuit, Poe shows good speed chasing down ball carriers along the line of scrimmage. Poe's explosiveness off the ball and strength give him the ability to be an excellent bull rusher. His combination of foot quickness, agility and hand-use help him beat pass blocks with surprising ease for such a big man. His instincts and awareness enable Poe to read screen passes and peel off his rush to break to the flat and chase ball carriers.

Poe has experience lining up as a three-technique defensive tackle, a nose tackle and a five-technique defensive end. This positional versatility makes Poe valuable to NFL teams.

Weaknesses: Poe’s production doesn't match his talent level because he lacks consistent intensity. When he loses focus, he has a tendency to hop out of his stance instead of exploding forward. This tendency to get high at the point of attack and lose leverage takes away his ability to consistently play strong.

For a huge man, it was shocking to see less gifted offensive linemen tie him up and drive him off the line of scrimmage.

Poe will struggle to be an effective nose tackle if he does not improve his ability to anchor against double-team run blocks. As a tackler, he doesn't play with violence or physical toughness on contact.

Poe is much more of an athletic, finesse player despite his impressive size and strength.

Draft status: Poe is a third-year junior who came out early for the draft after making the Conference USA second team in 2011. After declaring for the draft, Poe was viewed as a second-round prospect.

Then, thanks to a stellar performance at the Scouting Combine, Poe locked up a spot in the first round. Because of his size, Poe has been mentioned as the draft's best nose tackle prospect. However, after evaluating his play, it's clear Poe is much better suited as a three-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme or as an end in a 3-4 defense.

The Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos will both likely have strong interest in Poe. John Fox built his Carolina Panthers defense around Julius Peppers and Kris Jenkins. Now, as Broncos coach, Fox needs an interior force like Jenkins.

Additionally, the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers might be willing to gamble that Poe can be trained to be a nose tackle. The thinking is that players with Poe’s size, strength and athleticism are nearly impossible to find and can turn a good 3-4 defense into a great one.

Poe reminds us of two recent first-round picks, Ryan Sims and Jimmy Kennedy. Both players were immensely talented yet struggled because of inconsistent effort and competitiveness.